Wilder relishing Forest test

Chris Wilder wants to see his side put a real marker down ahead of the international break.

Looking ahead to welcoming Nottingham Forest to Bramall Lane, Wilder remarked: "Our supporters have been incredible in my period here, but we need them more than ever now for five massive, huge home matches.

"It's the last game before the international break, where we can really put ourselves in a fantastic position with eight to go."

The Blades boss added: "We've got all to play for and some haven't. I recently watched a documentary about a famous manager down at Forest and their rise in his era was remarkable and will never happen again.

"To go from the old second division, right through to winning the top-flight and European Cup twice was an absolutely fantastic achievement.

"I thought we were outstanding at the City Ground and I still can't believe we didn't get anything against a really good side, packed with quality individual players."

Blades 0-0 Forest - report

United and Forest played out an entertaining stalemate in minus temperatures on Saturday afternoon.

And the point for the Blades was the least their efforts deserved, as Chris Wilder's side made it four games unbeaten at Bramall Lane, against opponents, who themselves are on a decent unbeaten run.

For the clash against Forest, boss Wilder made two changes. Clarke and Leonard returned to the starting XI, with Basham and Wilson missing out, with Wright being named amongst the substitutes.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, with snow swirling round the Lane, Clarke almost warmed things up nicely in United's first attack, but Pantilimon palmed his header to safety from Fleck's cross following a short corner on the right.

In the 13th minute, United through Clarke came even closer, but in the second phase, with Fleck again the provider, the striker headed wide with the goal at his mercy. The Blades continued to make the running, with Evans firing over from a promising position on the edge of the box. Next to have a go was Fleck, who almost wrong-footed Pantilimon.

With the clocking ticking to half-time and with the visitors not clearing their lines, Evans floated an effort narrowly over the bar. In response, Blackman was down smartly to his right to deny Cash, who had stolen the ball off Stevens high up the pitch. Fox became the first booking of the game before the break, following a tangle with Blackman, as the Blades stopper looked to launch a counter attack.

The first action of note in the second-half sees Pantilimon save from Baldock's cross, with the goalkeeper picking up a knock in the process. At the other end, Blackman saved the Blades twice in as many minutes, denying Dowell with an excellent low stop, before parrying an effort from Murphy round the post. The game had really opened up and this time the Blades were on the attack, but Duffy fired over.

On the hour, Wilder made a change, with Brooks replacing skipper Sharp. An unfortunate slip from Evans saw Forest break, but Murphy shot into the side netting from Brereton's pass. A second substitution promoted a change of formation, with Holmes replacing Leonard.

As the final ten minutes approached, following a clearing of snow from the pitch, Blackman was again required, the time to deny Brereton, with Stearman deny Colback. United's final change, saw Donaldson replace Duffy.

Five minutes of added time were signalled, as the snow began swirling round the Lane again. Fleck stung the palms of Pantilimon, before being booked for challenging Tomlin. But despite the efforts of both sets of players to beat the freezing conditions and find a goal, it ended all square.